MOUNT WOOD CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL A Report for Metropolitan Borough of Wirral by Donald Insall Associates Ltd January 2005 MOUNT WOOD CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL CONTENTS SECTION PAGE 0.0 INTRODUCTION 1 0.1 Background 0.2 Scope and Structure of the Study 2.0 LOCATION 2 2.1 Location Context 2.2 Study Area Boundary 3.0 HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT 4 3.1 Early History and Origins 3.2 Development 3.3 Historic Uses and their Influence 4.0 LANDSCAPE AND VISTAS 7 4.1 Setting and relationship with surrounding area 4.2 Character and relationship of spaces 4.3 Green spaces and planting 5.0 TOWNSCAPE AND FOCAL BUILDINGS 9 5.1 Townscape 5.2 Focal Buildings 5.3 Boundaries and Surfaces 6.0 ARCHITECTURE MATERIALS AND DETAILS 11 6.1 Prominent styles 6.2 Leading architects 6.3 Materials 6.4 Typical features 7.0 CHARACTER ASSESSMENT 14 8.0 NEGATIVE FACTORS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENHANCEMENT 15 8.1 Overview 8.2 Quality of later 20 th century development 8.3 Unsympathetic Extensions 8.4 Alterations to historic detailing and materials 8.5 Development Pressures and Loss 9.0 RECOMMENDED CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARY 19 APPENDICES A BIBLIOGRAPHY REFERENCES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS B CONSERVATION AREA AND STUDY AREA BOUNDARIES C HISTORIC MAPS D PLAN SHOWING RELATIVE AGES OF BUILDINGS E GAZETTEER OF VIEWS , BOUNDARIES AND SURFACES F GAZETTEER OF SIGNIFICANT BUILDINGS G PLAN SHOWING CONTRIBUTION OF BUILDINGS TO THE CHARACTER OF THE CONSERVATION AREA 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background This report has been prepared by Donald Insall Associates Ltd on behalf of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Its purpose is to advise on the creation of a Conservation Area, which would protect and enhance the character of the area around Mount Wood Road. It has been a concern that development pressures are threatening and eroding the aesthetic and historic qualities of the area. The designation of a Conservation Area would provide the Local Planning Authority with additional powers to protect and enhance the areas special characteristics. The report has been prepared with the help and support of the Mount Wood Residents' Association. Their research document has been a source of both background information and photographic record. 1.2 Scope and Structure The scope of this Conservation Area Appraisal is based on the guidelines published by English Heritage and represents a factual and objective analysis. In accordance with the guidelines, the following framework has been used as the basis for this analysis:- • Location and population • Origins and development of the settlement • Prevailing or former uses and their influence on plan form or building type • Archaeological significance • Architectural and historic qualities of buildings • Contribution made by key unlisted buildings • Character and relationship of spaces • Prevalent and traditional building materials • Local details • Contribution made by green spaces, trees, hedges, etc • Setting of the Conservation Area and its relationship with the surrounding landscape • Extent of loss, intrusion or damage • Existence of any neutral areas The document has been structured to encompass these areas of study and concludes with recommendations for the Conservation Area boundary. 2.0 LOCATION 2.1 Location Context (See Plan 01) The study area is located between Prenton and Higher Bebington on the outskirts of Birkenhead to the north of the Wirral Peninsula. It is situated on a hill of New Red Sandstone (Keuper strata) which, with Bidston Hill to the north and Storeton Hill to the south, forms the segment of one of a pair of parallel ridges at 80m above sea-level. The sandstone was laid down during the Permian and Triassic periods and forms the bedrock of not only the Wirral but also surrounding Cheshire and Merseyside. Its use as a building material is evident throughout the region. The population of the Mount Wood area is exclusively residential. 2.2 Study Area Boundary (See Plan 02) The study area is approximately rectangular in shape. It focuses on Prenton Reservoir and those roads which immediately surround it. To the north it is bounded by Prenton Lane which leads from central Birkenhead westwards towards Prenton. Storeton Road forms the eastern boundary. The southern boundary is formed by Stanley Avenue, beyond which is open countryside. To the west, the area is bounded by Golf Links Road and Prenton Golf Course. It should be noted that the area studied is slightly more extensive than the area recommended for Conservation Area status. 2004 OS Base Reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Copyright Licence AR350125 MOUNT WOOD CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL PLAN 01 – SHOWING LOCATION OF MOUNT WOOD Donald Insall Associates Ltd., January 2005 3.0 HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT 3.1 Early History and Origins Although there is evidence of Roman occupation throughout the Wirral, there would appear to be debate on the extent to which archaeological finds can be interpreted as proof of major settlements. There is no evidence of any early settlement (either Roman or subsequently) in the location of the study area nor in the immediate vicinity. The 'Roman Road' which lies at the foot of the Mount Wood hill and leads to Storeton, has been shown to be of the mediaeval period. 'Roman Road' photographed prior to 1909. The surrounding place-names of Prenton, Storeton and Bebington are of Anglo-Saxon origin, the ton indicating the presence of an enclosed farmstead. However, evidence suggests that much of the Wirral remained as open heath, scrub and some woodland until the Middle Ages. The Domesday Survey of 1086 indicates settlements at both Prenton and Storeton and it would appear that Prenton was held by Walter de Vernon at that time. Prenton appears to have been one of only three Wirral manors which included woodland and it is possible that Mount Wood was part of that woodland. However, by this time, the Wirral was clearly not heavily wooded. During the 12th century a large area of the Wirral was re-forested by Ranulf of Meschines (3rd Earl of Chester) and, in 1327, a Royal deer park (Shotwick Park) was created by Edward III within the forest. 3.2 Development (See Plan 03 and Historic Maps) Throughout the 15th - 18th centuries those areas not forested were steadily converted for agricultural use. By 1845 the roads now known as Prenton Lane and Storeton Road, which enclose the study area, had been established. At that time the land was owned by a group of men - John Winder, Lyon Winder, Edmund Henry Lyon and Uvedale Corbett. However, most appears to have been let for pasture and farmland. By far their largest plot, however, was the Mount Pleasant Wood which they retained un-let, together with the approaching hill roads. By 1872 a portion of the woodland had been given over to the Reservoir and Reservoir Road was constructed by this time, though it remained undeveloped. Between 1872 and 1899 both Prospect and Acrefield Roads had been laid out and residential development commenced. A Church (St. Stephens) had been established at the junction of Reservoir Road and Prenton Lane, and the map of 1899 shows an Institute building alongside the Church. In fact this building was a small corrugated iron structure which had been used temporarily as the Church until the present building could be constructed. However, both the Church and the recognised use of the smaller building as an Institute are indicative of the status and wealth of those moving into the area. The original St. Stephens Church - licensed for services between 1894 and 1897. It was subsequently used as the church hall and Institute when the present church was constructed. By 1910 the area was an established residential suburb and Mount Wood Road, Burrell Road and Pine Walks had all been laid out by this time. Mount Wood Road c.1910 Burrell Road c.1909 The development of the Wirral for residential use is closely linked to the improved transport connections and communication with Liverpool. In particular the opening of the Mersey Railway Tunnel in 1886 provided links to one of the countries most important ports and commercial centres, enabling wealthy businessmen to move to the countryside of the Wirral yet remain close to their work. The map of 1910 shows the Mount Wood area remaining largely surrounded by fields. Areas such as Meols Drive, Bidston and Caldy also became fashionable. Residential development was further encouraged by the opening of Prenton Golf Club in the 1900's. The game of golf had become extremely popular during the last quarter of the 19 th century and courses opened across the Wirral to provide rest and relaxation for the many businessmen who chose to live there. 3.3 Historic Uses and their Influence Little of the former uses of the Mount Wood area are legible in the early 20th century housing development. However, from the historic maps, it can be seen that both Acrefield and Prospect Roads follow the lines of field boundaries. Mount Wood Road itself and part of Pine Walks appear to follow the lines of forest tracks. The curve in Burrell Road appears to have been formed to accommodate a former quarry (now the garden of the house known as 'The Quarry'). The areas former use as woodland is evident from the many mature trees which remain, though early photographs show that the woodland was not dense and suggest that the residential development resulted in considerable tree loss. Mount Wood - from an original watercolour by J Walton Burnett 4.0 LANDSCAPES AND VISTAS 4.1 Setting and relationship with surrounding area The Mount Wood area straddles the crest of the Storeton / Bidston ridge. It is therefore approached up hill from both the east and west.